Longmont Photographer Blog

Due to our very busy schedule, we are now focusing our attention on the Longmont Photographer blog only. You can access our blog (which is due for a really cool facelift) directly: www.balsmanphotography.wordpress.com or through our new and improved website (coming very soon): www.balsmanphotography.com.

We hope you’ll stop in and take a look around.

Beginner and Advanced Photography Courses in Longmont

In response to information we learned in early May from area teachers and administrators concerning a significant reduction in Arts programs in the St. Vrain school district, Balsman Photography will begin offering both beginner and advanced photography courses to area students as well as adults.

Enrollment for the first of a series of workshops and courses will begin in November. Classes will start in January. Scholarships will be available for area students.

The course schedule will be announced in the coming months and will include basic photography as well as advanced photography and image editing.

For more details, please visit our website: www.balsmanphotography.com.

Photographer in Longmont Offers FREE Senior Yearbook Photos

Balsman Photography, Longmont’s premier fine portrait studio, is offering FREE high school senior yearbook photos to any area student who needs one.

“We recognize that not every student can afford to pay for senior portraits. We just don’t want to see so many ‘Not Pictured’ notations in yearbooks or local newspaper graduate editions. This is our way of helping each area school to achieve 100% photographed high school seniors. These kids have worked hard and deserve this recognition,” said Kim Balsman, owner and chief photographer of Balsman Photography.

So, how does it work, and is there any catch?

“There is no catch whatsoever. We just want to give every senior the chance to have a professional portrait to be proud of,” explains Kim Balsman.

Simply show up at the Balsman Photography Fine Portrait Studio located at 612 Kimbark Street in downtown Longmont on the dates indicated below. Be sure to wear the outfit you wish to be photographed in.

FREE Yearbook Photo Dates;

Wednesday, August 13th from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Friday, August 29th from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Wednesday, September 3rd from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Balsman Photography will photograph each student, select the best image from the session, and submit a properly formatted digital photo to the appropriate school by the required deadline. It’s as simple as that.

If you have questions concerning this special offer to area high school students, please call or email the studio: 303-678-1335 or kim@balsmanphotography.com.

Finding A Photographer in Longmont, Colorado

There are a number of photographers in the Boulder/Longmont area offering portrait services. Do a simple Google search, and you are bombarded with information on different photographers. So, how do you choose a reputable photographer to create portraits for you and your family?

Here are some simple guidelines to help you find just the right photographer for you and your needs.

• Visit the website, learn about the photographer and view the available digital samples. If you like the style of the images presented, schedule an appointment to see the studio and view framed wall portraits. Digital images are great, but they are no substitute for framed portraits. You need to know that the print quality is excellent and worth the price you will pay.
• Look for testimonials from clients. You want to know that other clients have been satisfied with the work offered by a particular photographer. If you don’t find testimonials, look elsewhere.
• Choose a photographer who is a full time professional. There are so many people out there trying to make money with their digital cameras by trying to convince consumers that they are “professionals.” You wouldn’t hire a part-time doctor, lawyer, or dentist. So, don’t hire someone who is only a photographer part of the time.
• Beware of the “soccer mom with a camera” photographers. There are a ton of folks like these out there who offer to meet you in a park, take photos and hand you a disk of images. What you will get from that session is virtually worthless. If you are going to make an investment in photography, be sure to work with a reputable professional who will stand behind their work and still be there tomorrow if you have a problem.
• Make sure you are offered a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Fine photography can be a significant investment. You need to know you will get the quality and service you are paying for and deserve.
• Don’t choose your photographer based on price alone. While it may be tempting to call on offers for free sessions, you will get what you pay for. Visit a few studios, interview the photographers and then make your decision. Otherwise, you may end up with mediocre photographs at best. Any price you pay for mediocrity is too much.
• Beware of prices or free offers that appear too good to be true. They probably are. Department store and mall studios are particularly bad about offering teaser rates to get clients through the door. Then, clients realize that to have the portraits they really want, they have to pay as much or even more than they would have if they had chosen a professional studio. Also, keep in mind that photographers who give away their time (sessions) and products for free place little or no value on what they do. So, why should you?
• Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! Make sure you are offered a number of choices for backdrops, session locations, clothing options, etc. You don’t want your portraits to look like everyone else’s. So, beware of studios offering one or two backdrops and few, if any, props, sets or location options.
• Extras! Does the studio you are considering offer incentives, promotions and other savings? Be sure to fully understand the details of what you are getting.
• Is the studio flexible as far as rescheduling sessions, if necessary? Some studios will charge a high fee if you have to reschedule. Things happen, and the studio you choose should be flexible and understanding.
• Avoid working with any studio that forces you to choose from unretouched, unedited images. You are investing in professional portraits, not raw digital image files. How can you be sure of the final printed image if you don’t even get to see the edited portrait in advance?
• Ask how many proof images or portrait originals you will view and choose from. If the answer is more than 40 or so, then the photographer clearly lacks focus and isn’t taking the time to understand what you are looking for. It’s nearly impossible to narrow down images when you have to weed through more than about 40 images.
• Does the photographer you are considering take the time to meet you in advance of your session and plan your session thoroughly? If not, consider finding one who will. Snapshot studios, not unlike department store or mall studios, will cram as many people through the door as possible and use the same canned poses to maximize profits. They care little about getting to know YOU or what you want in your portraits. Professional studios, on the other hand, will generally plan to meet clients prior to the scheduled session and coordinate clothing, backdrops, location settings, etc. After all, how can someone purport to capture the “real” you if they don’t know you?
• Be sure to always visit the studio you are considering for your portraits BEFORE you book. Are there plenty of creature comforts to make you feel at home? Is the staff friendly and helpful? Are you treated with respect and care? Does the studio go out of its way to make you feel special?
• Does the photographer have a good reputation within your community? Does he/she contribute to the community, charities, schools, etc?
• Check your photographer’s credentials. Are they self taught or professionally trained? How long has he/she been a photographer?

Whether you are looking for a photographer to create a precious family portrait, high school senior portrait, children’s portrait, pet portrait or maternity portrait, be sure you are working with a dedicated professional who truly cares about you and your portraits. Fine portrait photography is an investment. Be sure you take the time to choose wisely.

Hey Class of 2009 – It’s Your Turn!

Visit us Saturday, May 17, 11AM-7PM!

One-Day Only Savings at our

Class of 2009 Senior Portrait Open Studio!

You are invited! Please visit my studio in downtown Longmont on Saturday, May 17th from 11AM to 7PM. To kick off the Class of 2009 Senior Portrait season, I am booking Senior Portrait sessions at 50% off regular rates this ONE DAY ONLY. Plus, when you pre-pay for any package, I’ll take 25% off any additional prints, frames, albums, or other items you need to add to your Senior Portraits, too!

Here are some great extras I know are hard to resist: I will have a drawing for some great door prizes, & you can sign up to win a family vacation to Disney, too! I almost forgot – you can enter to win a $1,000 scholarship, and your choice of a new Ford Mustang or $20,000 cash just for asking me to create your senior portraits. You need not be present to win any of these prizes.  Bring a friend – they’ll thank you!

While you’re at the studio, I’ll take you on a tour, chat with you about your senior portraits, and you can enjoy some refreshments.

In case you’re unfamiliar with our location in downtown Longmont, I’ve placed a map at the bottom of this message. Feel free to call 303-678-1335 if you can’t find us.

I’ll see you there!

100% Guaranteed Senior Portraits at Balsman Photography

Balsman Photography is the studio of choice for senior portraits for a number of reasons. Perhaps one of the primary reasons is that we are the only area studio offering a 100% guarantee.

We guarantee that you will LOVE your portraits or we either reshoot them or refund your money. No hassles and no hard feelings, either. We truly care about the seniors we photograph and want them to LOVE their portraits, not just be satisfied with them.

Stop by our studio and talk to our photographer. See for yourself why Balsman Photography is THE Senior Portrait Place!

Grand Opening Celebration!!!

Balsman Photography is proud to announce the celebration of our Grand Opening on Friday, February 1 from 4-9 p.m. at our new studio: 612 Kimbark Street in Longmont, Colorado.

The Longmont Chamber of Commerce will kick off the celebration with a ribbon cutting ceremony.  Everyone is invited to share in the festivities. We will be giving away cameras, digital photo frames, portrait packages, iPods and much, much more. PLUS, our partner, Altitude Dream Cars, will have some of its exotic cars on display. AND, we will be giving away gift certificates for exotic car rentals. Remember, we are the ONLY studio permitted to photograph these cars with high school seniors or other portrait clients.

We are very excited about this event and hope YOU will be able to attend. For more details, visit our website at: www.balsmanphotography.com.

NEW STUDIO FOR Balsman Photography

Balsman Photography, Colorado’s premier photography studio, is pleased to announce the opening of its new studio at 612 Kimbark Street in Longmont, Colorado. Call us at 303-678-1335 to learn more about the studio, our services and how we treat our clients like STARS!Our new studio, a turn-of-the-century Victorian, features all the warmth and character of a bygone era. We invite you to stop by and see our new studio. Experience the red carpet treatment. Relax in comfort in our cozy waiting room with big screen TV. Help yourself to our fully stocked kitchen with lots of goodies. Experience your very own photo premier, complete with reclining theater seats and all-you-can-eat popcorn and drinks.

See for yourself all the cool and totally unique props, wardrobes and set designs we have in our two camera rooms. Plus, we are one of only a few studios in the greater Denver/Boulder area to offer an on site, outdoor studio featuring sets you simply cannot find anywhere else.

Check back with us for more details on our new studio and our upcoming GRAND OPENING gala. We’ll be giving away iPods, cameras, digital photo frames, portrait packages and much, much more.

Oh, and if you ever wanted to have your photo taken with an awesome exotic or luxury car – look no further. We have partnered with Altitude Dream Cars in Longmont to provide our high school senior clients a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We are the ONLY studio authorized to offer this incredible opportunity. Be sure to visit their website and check out the jaw-dropping fleet of cars and start drooling.

Family Portraits For The Holidays

It’s that time of year again. The trees turn gold, and the air becomes crisp. Soon, the holidays will be upon us. Perhaps you have been meaning to have a family portrait done for some time now, but just couldn’t find the time to schedule one.

 What better time to have a beautiful portrait taken of your family than fall and winter in Colorado? Balsman Photography offers unique and artistic portraits for families, children and pets – both in our studio and on location. Let us create a memorable keepsake for you to share with your friends and families for generations to come.

When deciding on a studio for your portraits, consider more than just cost. You can certainly opt to have your portraits taken in a discount store or mall. However, your photos will lack the artistic and unique craftsmanship that only a dedicated, professional studio can provide. We never rush our clients or limit their choices for props, sets or location options. We use state of the art digital technology and advanced imagery techniques to craft one-of-a-kind images that you will be delighted to display in your home. Our images are so much more than mere photos. They are masterful works of art.

So, treat yourself and your loved ones to a fun-filled and imaginative photo session. Together, we can create something truly special for you to cherish. And, did we mention that we were nominated for the prestigious distinction of Best Photographer in the greater Denver area? (This shameless horn blowing brought to you by our studio staff).

Sessions are booking fast. Call today to reserve your session and take advantage of special holiday portrait packages. Visit our website for more details: www.balsmanphotography.com.

Or call us at: 720-494-2538.

We wish you a wonderful and happy holiday season.

Balsman Photography – Longmont & Boulder’s Premier Studio

If you live in the Longmont/Boulder area, then you may not be aware of the best kept secret in photography. Balsman Photography is rapidly becoming the studio of choice for area high school seniors. Ok, so I guess we’re not such a secret anymore. Why? Because we offer only the highest quality work at reasonable prices. What’s more, we have a ton of really cool backdrops, props and sets to choose from.

Perhaps you always wanted to take a stroll down the streets of Paris or hang out in the back alleys of New York City. Maybe you always wanted to look like the famous Hollywood actors and actresses of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. Well, then Balsman Photography is THE place for you to go. We specialize in unique and artistic portraits, including the fabulous glamour portraits of Hollywood’s greatest era. We have a nice collection of vintage clothing and accessories to faithfully recreate some of the most famous Hollywood portraits of all time. Ever wanted to look just like James Dean? How about Marilyn Monroe?

Not only do we pamper our clients from the moment they walk into our studio, but we also have a lot of fun creating awesome portraits. Then, we take those already good portraits and make them spectacular. We spend a great deal of time retouching and masterfully crafting every one of our images to create one-of-a-kind works of art for our clients. Thus, we only accept between 8 and 10 bookings each month to allow us plenty of production time.

So, if you are a high school senior and want to experience the Balsman Photography difference, call or email us today. We have only a handful of session times available this year. Oh, and did I mention that we were nominated as the Best Photographer in the greater Denver area?

Visit our website at www.balsmanphotography.com. Or, call us at 720-494-2538.